Hand-held roll-film camera with interlocking focal-plane shutter curtains



.June 12, 1951 #E s HlNELHqE 2,556,961

HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING` 1 FOCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. 10, 1946 16 Sheets-Sheeb 1 mnu M i f2.5@ i

June 12, 1951 E. s. HINELINE HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING -PLANE ,SHUTTER CURTAINS FOCAL 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1946v 94 aol June 12, 1951 E. s. HINELINE 2,556,967

HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FOCAL-PLANE sHuTTER CURTAINS 16 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 INA.

16 Sheets-Sh`eet 6 l 11 ,Il n 9 y/3 INVENTO oIbS/nene June 12, 1951 E. s. HINELINE HAND-HELD ROLL-F ILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING F OCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. 10, 1946 June 12., 1951 2,556,967A

` E. S. HINELINE HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING Filed Aug. 10, 1946 FOCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 June 12, 1951 E. s. HINELINE 2,556,967

HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLocxING FocALPLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 1o, 1946 BY 7% @fm 3%.

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HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FocALPLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS HAND-HELD ROLL-HLM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FOCALPLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. 10, 1946 1e sheets-sheet 11 June l2, 1951 E s H|NE| |NE 2,556,967

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HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA wml INTERLocxING Y FocAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. 10, 1946 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 June 12, 1951. E. s. HINELINE HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FOCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 52 17, Q/CLJM ..9 44,4.`

June 12, 1951 E. s. HINELINE 2,556,967

HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM CAMERA WI INTERLOCKING FOCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CU INS- 4 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 um @8f June 12, 1951 ELINE HAND- D ROLL-FILM CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING OCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. l0, 1946 16 Sheets-Sheet l5 /97 l I NVENTOR.

. lonI/zelz E. S. HINELINE L-FILM June l2, 1951 HAND-HELD lROL 2,556,967 CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FOCAL-PLANE SHUTTER CURTAINS Filed Aug. l0, 1946 16 Sheets-Sheet l5 Patented June 12, 1951;

HAND-HELD ROLL-FILM `CAMERA WITH INTERLOCKING FOCAL-PLANE SHUT- TER CURTAINS Eason s, Hineline, Rochester, N."Y.,'a'ss`ignr to i Graflex, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1946, SerialNo. 6895714 38 Claims.

Thisinvention relates to hand-held focalplane-shutter cameras having many novel features.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have disclosed `a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Y Fig. 1 is a right-hand side elevation of the camera showing the view finder in erected position for making an exposure, the illrn rewind handle being shown in full lines in its normal position and the position thereof at fullest forward travel during nlm rewind being indicated indotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of Fig. 1 clearly showing the position of the shutter setting dial or knob, the shutter being set for bulb exposure;

Fig. '3 is a developed View of the exposure setting dial scale;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through Fig. 1 showingthe construction of the cone mounting ring and the position of the focal plane shutter curtains, and, as the section extends through the camera magazine, clearly showing the construction of the latter;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of Fig. l, with the lens cone removed;

Fig.I 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of Fig. 1, clearly showing the exposure counter window;

Fig. 7 is a View of the right-hand side of the camera, having the mechanism cover plate re moved, to show most clearly the lm rewind mechanism, the shutter setting mechanism, and the interlock mechanism for the film rewind mechanism, the entire mechanism being shown in the condition wherein the shutter release lever has been operated, thus releasing the shutter, shown in its run-Clown condition, the interlock being shown as partially operated, but not to be fully operated until the shutter release lever returns to its normal position, the shutter speed setting cam being shown in condition for bulb exposure;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through Fig. 7, taken on the line 8 8 thereof, and showing the position of the several parts;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the shutter release lever as having been partially returned to its normal position, and wherein a further movement of the release lever from the position shown to the normal position will leave the interlock mechanism in the unlocked condition, thus permitting operation of the shutter rewindhandle to prepare the camera for a second exposure;

'11 is a transverse setill'thrugh'g. 16, taken on the line lI-Il thereof;

Fig'. 1271s a' fragmentary top plan View, partly inMSeiiIl, Of th rewind 'halldlshaft and the shutter rewind adjusting plates;

Fig. 13 is a View similarto Fig. 9, but showing the operating handle inits completely iorward position, the shutter being inthe set -condition and 'thefilmhaving been partially'fed'for the next'fxposure; 4

Fig. 14 is a detail plan view showing part of the interlock mechanism as positioned 'just before the complete rewiiding of 'the iilrn;r

Fig. 15 is a View similar to Fig. 9, with some of the parts removed, showing'the shutter in rewoundcondition, Ybut'witl'i 'the shutter speeds set for an instantaneous e"xpos1`b.re;'v A

Fig. l16' 'is a verticaal 'section'throughFig 15 on the line ifi-I6 thereof; j

A Fig. 17 is a detail Of the flhlAreW'-Ildrlg handle shaft;

Fig. i8 lis a View ofthe left-hand side of the camera 'with thev cover plate removed, showing the mechanism for operating the shutter, which is -inrewoun'd condition, prior to making an exposure, and setfor an instantaneous exposure;

(Fig. 19 is a vertical section through Fig. 18 taken on the 'line T9419 thereof;

rig. 20 is a vertical 'section through Fig'. 18, but taken at a poi'ntfurther to therigh'ton Fig. 18, to show the position lof the shutter curtain rewind gearsj l Fig. 21 is a detail'plan view showing the's'hutter curtain rewindsectory and its operating rewind 'mchanis'rm l Fig.' 22 lis a vertical 'section through Fig. 21 taken (irrt/h yiili' 22'-22 'il-hereof;

Fig.'23 'is a detail, partly in section',` of the shutter rewinding arm, showing the adjusting means for'the'bulb release;

Fig. 2li is 'an enlarged detail 'of the shutter rewindingl gears, the shutter release lever and the associated parts directly allied thereto, the shutterb'eingV in fullyY rewnd condition and set for anexposire' 'of 17400 'of a second;`

Fig. A25 is an underneath view of the second curtain rewindvgear, showing the position of the interlckmechanism rfor 'locking'4v together the two curtain 'gears' A'during exposure;

Figjac is an enlarged detail of me of the'shuttergears, showing' the releasing cam for 'releasingl the'shutter gear drive plate just before such shutter gear 'is `fully 'rewund;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary detail in section of one 3 of the shutter rewind gears, showing the means for mounting the shutter interlock members;

Fig. 28 is a view similar to Fig. 18, with some of the parts removed, more clearly to show the construction of the shutter operating mechanism, the mechanism being in the position assumed after an exposure and in position for the commencement of the rewinding of the shutter curtains;

Fig. 29 is a View similar to Fig. 18, the shutter being, however, shown in rewound condition and the mechanism being shown as set for bulb exposure;

Fig. 30 is a detail in plan of the rst shutter curtain;

Fig. 31 is a similar detail of the second shutter curtain;

Fig. 32 is a view similar to- Fig. 28, but showing the mechanism as having been released, and the firstv curtain as run down to open the exposure aperture, thus completing the first cycle Vof a bulb exposure;

Fig. 33 is a detail in vertical section of the vshutter curtains when the mechanism is in the condition shown in Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the shutter gear mechanism when in the condition shown in Fig. 32; y Fig. 35 is an enlarged detail similar to Fig. 34, but representing the bulb exposure as having been completed due to the release of the shutter release lever; Y

Fig. 36 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of the shutter rewinding gears, some of the parts having been removed to show the means for interlocking together the two shutter curtain rewind gears during exposure;

Fig. 37 is an enlarged detail in side elevation of one of the shutter curtain rewind gears, and showing the interlock ring;

Fig. 38 is an enlarged detail in side elevation similar to Fig. 36, but showing in the engaged position the shutter curtain interengaging mechanism that locks the two curtains together; and Fig. 39 is a vertical section through the shutter rewind gears, taken on the center line of the rewind gear shaft.

This invention relates to hand-held cameras of novel construction. The camera is of a very compact, dust-tight and moisture-proof construction enabling it to be used under severe operating conditions as, for instance, at the front line in modern warfare, and for that reason it is usually referred to as the front-line camera. The camera is provided with an adjustable exposure-aperture focal-plane shutter having very simple means for controlling shutter speeds. The camera is also provided with a removable lens cone for the ready interchange of lenses. The view nder is of novel construction. One element of such view finder is carried by the lens cone and, since the proportions of that element of the View finder can be changed to indicate the iield covered by the particular lens carried in that cone, the act of changing cones also provides the proper view finder element for use with thatlens and able magazine of very simple construction and of a type that can readily be removed from the camera or be replaced in total darkness. The compact structure is such that the camera can be operated for making separate pictures in very rapid sequence. In fact, the camera has in practice been operated to make separate, non-moving pictures at the rate of two per second.

Among the objects of this invention are the following: to provide a compact, dust-tight, moisture-proof, camera body; to provide a camera having a single means for rewinding the shutter and advancing the film; to provide a shutter Vspeed setting means of simple construction that does not rotate during exposure; to provide a camera having interlocking means so that the camera can be operated only in a proper sequence, thus preventing double exposures, blanks and lapses; toV provide interlocking means that make it necessary to operate the lm rewind and shutter setting handle throughoutV its full stroke in both directions before a new exposure can be made, such interlocking means locking the handle in its non-operating condition until after an exposure has been completed; to provide film feeding means operated by the shutter rewinding means and that is positive in its action; to provide a camera for an interchangeable magazine that can be removed and replaced in the camera with a minimum effort on the part of the operator and so simple in its operation that the change can be made in total darkness; to provide a magazine for the camera having a positive film feed mechanism vwith a pressure pad or plate to hold the lm in exact register with the focal plane during exposure; and to provide a camera having a film magazine wherein the exposure counter is an integral part of the magazine,

whereby the remaining number of exposures can be determined, whether or not the magazine is in the camera or is removed therefrom.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the camera body indicated at 20 is substantially rectangular in cross section, and to it is attached a right side cover plate 2| housing the film feed mechanism, which is held to the camera body 2E! by screws 22-22, Fig. 1. On the opposite side of the camera body 20, as indicated in Fig. 5, is a left side cover plate 23 housing the shutter control mechanism and held to the camera body 2l! by a number of suitable screws (not shown). Fastened to the cover plate 23 is a carrying handle 24. To the front of the camera body 25 a lens cone 25 is attached by means of a lock ring 26 threaded by the cone, is attached the front elem-ent of the cone. The camera is provided with a handle that Y sight finder, generally indicated at 33, made up of an upper U-shaped member 34 and two telescopic members 35, one only being shown. The said telescopic members 35 are providedwith an elongated slot 36, in which slides a shoulder rivet 37. The lower end of the telescopic member 35 is pivoted on a pin 38 fitted into the boss 32 of the lens cone 25. The said U-shaped member 34 of the sight Ender can be collapsed into the telescopic member 35 and folded down onto the lens cone 25 for compactness and portability. l Attached to the cover plate 2i is a shutter reviewing the exposure number.

" ber 52 by means of screws 53, V53. tion plate or member 41 is provided with an openlease member- 39 `that ispivoted onashaft`L passing through thewall of the cover plate 2|.y and held thereto by a screw-46.@ Also attachedto the cover plate 2| is a'shuttersetting knobV 4| iitted to a shaft passing through a suitable bearing. in

the cover plate 2|, and carrying an operating Yhandle 42.

Fitted to the'bacl: of the camera, and best shown in 6, is aback member or door, indicated at 43, provided withan upper hinge member 44 and a lower hinge member 45, shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The hinge mem-bers'used hereon vare of the type that permit'the door to be pivoted on either hinge member44 or45, orsthe door may be entirelyremoved. The-structure isfully shown inthe United States patent to' Whitman and Nadel,No.f2,2'13,455; dated February 17, 1942, and needs no further' description here. The camera back 48 is vprovidedwith a-window 46 for Fig. 4, being a vertical cross section through the camera, most clearly shows the position of the magazine and also the curtain rollers. 'There is provided a verticalpartitionl in -thercameia indicated at 41, lhaving the'upper end bent over to the left, through which pass'screws' 48,# 48, vand these in turn are threaded into a retaining member 49. The lower end ofthe partition plate or member 41 is also provided with a left-hand extending member, through which passes a screwA into a retainer plate 5|.` The screws 48 and 56 also serve to hold to the camera body the Yhinge membersY 44 and 45 respectively.

Also attached -to the bottom side` ofy the camera body 26 is atripod-socket nange mem- The partiing, into which a projecting member 54 ofthe magazine lower casting 55 is fitted. The'magazine is made up of twoV castings, namely, vthe lower or forward one 55 and the upper or-rearward one 56. The said castings55 and 56 are held together by spring clips 51, 51. The camera magazine made up of the castings 55 and 56 is held in place in the camera by springs 58 and Y59 rheld to the camera back 43 by rivetsv 66and 6| respectively. A more complete description of the magazine willbe given at a later point.

Still referring to Fig. 4, the second shutter curytain is indicated at. 62 and is wound on aire- Wind spool 63 providedr with a shaft 64. The 4:tirst curtain is indicated at 65, and is provided with a rewind spool 66 vhaving a shaft61.

The lower end of the' second curtain 62 is provided .i with a second or take-up spool 68 having a shaft .69. The lower end of the flrst curtainv65 is provided with a take-up spool 16 having a shaft 1|. These shutter curtains .and their respective spools will be again referred to when describing the operation of the shutter.

Y. As shown in Fig. 4, the lens conek 24 is provided with a forwardly extending cylindricahmember 12 held to the lens cone 24'by rivets, one of which The cylindrical member :12Y is to the flange 21 and.;tightened in the usuall manner. .Theright side V.cover V.plate 2|. of thefcamera .body constitutesV a mechanism housingforthe nlm; 75

-rewind mechanismandalso for the shutter. speed flmmagazine to be later referred to more fully. The pinion 86 and the shaft 8| are held in positionY by a boss 85. cast integral with the camera cover plate 2|. Said pinion 86 meshes with a large gear 86 carried on a suitablestud fitted into a boss 81 cast integral with thesaid cover plate A retaining screw 88 is threaded into said boss and holds the gear 86 in place.

Attached to the under side of the gear 86, viewing Fig. '1, is a cam plate 89 having peripheral f cams 89a (Fig. 14, clearly shown in dotted lines) Y which is separated from and securely held to the said gear 86by means of studs 96and which valso lserve as a ratchet for advancing the gear 86 in a clockwise direction in a ymanner now tov be described.

.and 95 are caused to move inwardly towards the .center of the gear 86 by means of a spring 91 tted around the shoulder rivet 95 and engaging `suitable notches in theratchet drive members 94and 95. The said gear sector 92 meshes with a second gear sector 98, shown in dotted vlines in Figs. '1, 9, 13 and 15, in section in Fig. 16, and in solid lines in Fig. 8.

Tr Referring now to Fig. 16, said right side cover `plate 2| is provided with a boss 99 extending to flange |63, which has part of its periphery cut away, as most clearly shown in dotted lines in Figs. 7, 9 yand 15. The ends of said cut-away portion form limiting stops |64 and |65 that coact with a stop plate |66 tolimit the motion of the shaft |62 in either direction. Said stop plate |66 is held to the said right side cover plate 2| by rivets |61, |61. The gear sector 98 is attached to the flange |63 and the shaft |62 by drive pins |68, |68 which are provided with large diameter sections |69, |69 that serve as a spacerbetween gear -sector 98 and a shutter rewind plate ||6 fitted over an extension of the shaft |62 and caused to rotate with said shaft |62 by means of said pins |66. The function of said shutter rewind plate ||6 will be explained presently. The right-hand end of the shaft |62 is provided with milled flats ||2 over which is fitted a handle support member I3, Fig. 13, and held thereto by a nut ||4 threaded to an extension ||5 of the shaft |62. The operating handle 42 is securely attached to the handle support member ||3 by screws ||6. Any motion of said handle 42 will be transmitted to the gear sector 99 through the shaft |62, the ange |63 and the pins |66.

shoulder rivet |26.

v the gear Stato be turned in a clockwise direction because of the ratchet pins 90. ,When the 'operating handle 42 is moved all V.the way forward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the gear sector 92 and the ratchet drive meinbers 94, 95 will be in the position shown in Fig. 13. It will be noted that one ofthe pins 90'has been moved in a .clockwise directionV by the ratchet drive member 94, andthe ratchet drive member 95 will also .be moved in an upward direction to engage another of the ratchet pins 90. As the operating handle 42 is returned to its normal position, the gear sector 92 will be caused to moveA in a clockwise direction, the ratchet drive members 94 and 95 will be caused to move in a downward direction, and the ratchet drivev member 95 will engage'one of the pins 90, causing the gear 86 to be rotatedV in a clockwise direction. .The ratchet .drive Vmember. 94 will also be moved in a downwardidirection, but will become disengagcdfrom the pin and the parts will be returned to the position shown in Fig. 7. `Through the described cycle of. operation, the'gear 85 will have turned one third of a revolution and the pinion 80 will have turned one completerevolution. rIhe forward and backward movement of the operating handle 42'is limited in its motion by the stop plate |V andthe stops |04 and |05.

There is provided by this invention Van interlocking means whereby, after the operating handle 42 has completed a cycle (i. e. a forward movement and a return movement), itis automatically locked and cannot then again be operated until an exposure has been made. In the past there have been interlocks that prevented the operation of the rewinding member until after the shutter trip` lever has been pressed.

` This is quite satisfactory when a `winding knob is used and the knob is not used for the support of the camera'. In operating the camera here- Y in disclosed, the operating handle 42 becomes one of the supports for holding the camera, and, if it were unlocked the instant the shutter release lever 39 became depressed, the camera would move, thus spoiling a picture. The present invention provides an interlocking means wherein the operating handle 42 is kept in a locked condition until the shutter release lever 39 is allowed to return to its normal position after making an exposure. Therefore, the operating handle 42 is kept locked until after the exposure nas actually been made.

To the right'sidecover plate 2| is fixed a boss, through which passes a shaft |I1, Fig. 8, to the right-hand end of which is attached the said shutter release lever 39. `To the opposite or lefthand end of the shaft ii'i is attached a second assembly together and causing Vtheshutter re-V .lease lever 39 and the lever ||8 to be locked securely together and' to be free to rotate in the boss of the right side cover plate 2i. The Inotion of the lever H8 is limited by stops |22 and |23, integral with said right side cover plate 2|, engaging a terminal nger |24 of the lever H8 when it reaches the limit of its travel in either direction. To the lower end of the lever ||8 is attached a connecting link |25 by means of a ing link |25 is connected to the bell crank |21 by a shoulder rivet |29. Also pivoted on the shoulder rivet |29 is a floating dog |30, the function of which will be 'subsequently explained, and which is caused to be turned in a clockwise direction by means of a spring |3|, but limited in its motion by a pin |32. To the lower end of the bell crank |21 a second connecting link |33 is attached by a shoulder rivet |34; To the lower end of the said connecting link |33 a lever |35 is attached by means of a shoulder rivet |36, said lever |35 being securely attached to a shaft |31 that passes through the camera body to the shutter mechanism on the opposite side thereof, to be referred to more fully. Upon the extreme lower end of the connecting link |33 is formed an upturned end |38, to which is attached a coiled spring |39, the lower end whereof is attached to a pin |40 threaded into said right side cover plate 2|. The said spring |39 tends to rotate the lever |35 in a clockwiseY direction, the bell crank |21 in a contraclockwise direction, and the shutter release lever 39 in' a clockwise direction. When said shutter release lever 39 is operated in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. i, the lever |35 and the shaft |31 will be operated in a contraclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 7, thus releasing the shutter in a manner to be more fully explained.

A lever |4| is also attached to said right side cover plate 2| by means of a shoulder rivet |42. The lower end of said lever |4| is provided with a cam follower or dog |43 that engages the cam plate 89. The upper end of said lever V|4| is provided with gear teeth |44 that mesh with similarV gear teeth |45 of a latch member |46 pivoted on a shoulder screw |41 to the saidcover plate 2|. The lever |4| is caused to rotate fin a contraclockwise direction by a spring |48, one end of which engages an upturned ear |49 of said lever |4|, the opposite end thereof engaging a pin |50 threaded into said cover plate 2|.` A bell crank l5| is also attached to said cover plate 2| by means of a shoulder screw |5|a. One end of saidrbell crank |5| is provided with a finger |52, and the opposite end is provided with a finger |53 and an upturned member |54. The said bell crank |5| is caused to rotate in a contraclockwise direction by means of a coiled spring |55, one end of which is connected to the upturned member |54 and the opposite end to a pin |56 threaded into the said right side cover plate 2|. The enlarged flange |03 of the shaft |02, previously referred to, is provided with a notch |51 that is engaged by the said finger |52 when the camera is in the rewound condition, as shown in Fig. '1.

When the camera is in condition for making an exposure, the rewind mechanism will be in the position shown in Figs. 7 and '9. In Fig. 7, the shutter release lever 39 is shown in dotted lines as moved forward-thatY is, in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 1. TheA lever ||8 will be rotated in a contraclockwise direction viewing Fig. '1, thereby moving the connecting link |25 and the floating dog |30 in a right-hand direction, viewing Fig. 7. The said floating dog |30 will be moved along the pin |32, it being allowed to move in an upward direction because of the cam face |58 and the spring |3I.

It will be noted that the nger |52 of the bell .crank |5I still engages the notch |51 ofthe 

